“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
While cleaning a soup mug that had not been used was broken, I was brought to crying ugly tears. It was the last gift received from my daughter, Ryann, on Christmas morning in 1997. She and her brother, Richard, moved up to Heaven that day, and my life was broken into more pieces than this valued cup.
I had been reading about a Japanese art form called Kintsugi, which means ‘golden joinery.’ It is a centuries-old way of repairing broken pottery with a type of glue and gold dust.
The idea behind it is not to hide the ugliness and brokenness, but instead to use gold to make it shine —to illuminate and expose the damage. And at the end of the process, the piece is even more beautiful for having been broken.
I immediately repaired the mug using this technique and realized that I am far from being good at this art! You can tell from the picture that my cracks have very visible gold lines.
As I was working on the repair, I began to recognize that Kintsugi and the Christian Walk share notable similarities, both highlighting the value of imperfection, the power of the redeeming process, and the transformation that can come from acknowledging our brokenness.
I have always been one to hide the cracks in anything that I break, and most of the time in my own walk – do not let others know my pain, always giving them an “I am fine” answer.
Value of Imperfection
Every one of us has some sort of brokenness in our past. Perhaps we have grieved from a broken heart, complicated situations, loss of health, or relationships. Whether it is due to choices we have made or circumstances beyond our control, sometimes we find ourselves so profoundly broken that we do not know how things can ever be restored.
In both Kintsugi and the Christian journey, imperfection is neither concealed nor disregarded; rather, it is regarded as an integral aspect of the story. Christ recognizes individual flaws and weaknesses as valuable opportunities for development and personal growth. Every person called out for service in the Bible had some cracks that needed work. I know that had I not allowed God to heal my broken heart, I would not be the witness for His grace and mercy in our lives.
Power of Redemption
Have you ever tried putting yourself back together when you are falling apart? When your life is crashing toward the floor, and you have no way to catch it, what do you do? What can you do? We cannot put ourselves back together. Every time we try to glue the pieces into place, we spring a leak. We cannot repair ourselves any more than a shattered mug can repair itself. That is why we need a Savior! We need Jesus to come into our lives, scoop up the pieces, and put us back together. Only God restores us. He is the only one who has the power and knowledge to fix broken things.
The process of repairing broken pottery with gold in Kintsugi mirrors the Christian concept of redemption. Thankfully, God does not throw us away when we become broken pieces, but puts us together, transformed by the act of His restoration. This redeeming process turns what was once damaged into a stronger more beautiful piece.
Transformation Through Brokenness
All of us can experience deep brokenness, even from a young age. We must believe that Jesus is there for us when we suffer fractures to our hearts, our lives, and our relationships. Nothing in life ever goes perfectly or according to our best-laid plans. Jesus told His disciples, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We need to know that Jesus is there when those moments happen and that He can and will restore us.
Acknowledging brokenness is central to both Kintsugi and the Christian Walk. When we embrace our own brokenness, we allow ourselves to be transformed. The restored pottery in Kintsugi becomes more striking and meaningful because its cracks stand out, just as individuals in the Christian faith can find new purpose and strength by facing and overcoming their struggles. We grow stronger and mature in our walk.
How often I have said that people are watching us to see if being a Christian really does make a difference. I do not know what your pain or heartbreak might be right now, but I do know that we must trust the process of healing.
Unbelievers learn by what we do and not just what we say. They will watch how we respond when we face brokenness in our own lives or circumstances that seem out of control, and may come to us when facing challenges and hurts of their own. If they see us clinging to God and allowing Him to repair our cracks, they will be more open to His help and healing. Hopefully, they will want to embrace Jesus in their life because of seeing Him repair us into a vessel that glorifies His power.
Let me encourage you today that if you feel broken and that your heart is in pieces, God can mend them back together with all the skill of a Master Kintsugi Artist. He promises us that He “is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). God restores our hearts if we will let Him.
Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Embrace the hope found in this verse: “The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)
May we trust that God will be close to us in our brokenness, that He will bind us up by His grace, and in doing so create something even more beautiful. Do not give up!
My Prayer
Dear Jesus, apart from You, we are nothing but empty, broken, and useless broken mugs. I acknowledge that God wants us to be vessels that are sanctified and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for performing Kintsugi on my life when my grief was at its greatest. Continue to fill me with Your grace and mercy so that I can pour into the lives of others. Lord, You know there will always be a hole in my heart because of missing my children, but I know You will continue to heal the broken places until we can be reunited once again. Thank You for keeping Your promises. I know You love me and will use this for Your good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs